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Car accident injuries can create unprecedented physical, mental, and financial challenges. It is normal to feel frustrated and unsure of your next steps. A Coeur d’Alene car accident attorney with Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers can help you.
Our dedicated personal injury law firm offers free legal consultations to help injury victims understand their legal rights and options. Reach out to our office today to discuss your personal injury claim with one of our Coeur d’Alene personal injury attorneys. Call us at (844) SARGENT.
We Help Car Accident Victims Seek Fair Compensation
Car accidents can happen anywhere, from busy highways to your neighborhood street. While you can never predict a car accident, you have the option to seek compensation from the individual or entity responsible.
According to the US Department of Transportation (DOT), more than 2 million people are injured in motor vehicle crashes each year, and over 30,000 people pass away. Most of these injuries are preventable.
If you suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligent actions, you should not have to pay for the associated losses. Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers is pleased to represent car accident victims in Coeur d’Alene and across Idaho. During your free case review, we will listen to your story, review the available evidence, and advise you of your legal rights.
If we decide to work with you, we leverage our extensive experience and knowledge of Idaho law to develop a personalized strategy unique to your car accident case. Let our skilled legal team defend your right to justice and fair compensation.
Determining the Value of a Coeur d’Alene Car Accident Case
It is impossible to predict the value of a car accident case without knowing the full details and circumstances of the incident. However, you can rest assured that Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers will seek fair compensation from the parties responsible for your injuries.
Once we review your case, our car accident lawyers can establish a strategy to pursue the following types of damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Past and future lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Medical expenses
- Mental anguish
Our Coeur d’Alene car accident attorneys can see the full scope of damages you suffered. They can guide you through the legal process so you don’t leave any money on the table.
Advocating for Your Legal Rights After a Car Accident
Idaho law allows the injured person in a car accident to pursue economic and non-economic damages from the at-fault party. Generally, if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, you could have a legal claim against the person who caused your injury.
However, every situation is unique, so you may benefit from consulting an attorney familiar with cases like yours. The compassionate car accident attorneys at Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers offer a free, no-obligation consultation to help you determine the best legal route for your case.
We Help Prove You Deserve Compensation for Your Car Accident
Most car accident claims are based on negligence. In essence, a party may be negligent if they carelessly or recklessly caused injury to another person.
To prove negligence in a personal injury claim, you must show that:
- The responsible party had a duty of care to avoid causing harm.
- They violated that duty of care.
- You suffered injuries because they violated the duty of care.
- You experienced financial, physical, or psychological damages due to those injuries.
The duty of care for car accidents differs depending on the circumstances surrounding your collision.
Some common causes of car accidents include:
Driver Negligence
A driver has a duty of care to operate their motor vehicle within the confines of the law and avoid causing harm to others as much as reasonably possible. Negligence may arise when an individual driver acts carelessly. For example, if a driver caused an accident by texting while driving, they could be considered negligent and therefore liable for damages.
Common causes of car accidents due to driver negligence include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding or aggressive driving
- Fatigued driving
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Traffic violations
- Failure to obey traffic signals
- Failure to yield the right of way
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Third-Party Negligence
Negligence can also apply to third parties who are responsible for conditions that led to an accident. For example, a utility or construction company that failed to adequately warn of hazards on the road could be responsible for car accidents that occur as a result.
Common causes of car accidents due to third-party negligence include:
- Missing road signs
- Inadequate hazard warnings
- Potholes and cracks
- Equipment or materials in the roadway
Next Steps to Protect Your Rights & Injury Claim After a Car Accident
The immediate aftermath of a car accident can be extremely stressful. Follow these steps to avoid common pitfalls and protect your legal rights:
Call 911 to Report the Accident
Your safety is the most important consideration after a car accident. Pull to the side of the road and call 911 from the accident scene. Your call serves two purposes: to obtain emergency assistance and to report the accident to authorities.
Idaho Statutes § 49-1301 requires you to remain at the accident scene until an officer arrives. The attending officer should complete a crash report within 24 hours of the accident. Some local municipalities also require that you file a report with the local jurisdiction. A car accident attorney familiar with Idaho laws can help you navigate the process.
Exchange Information With the Other Driver
Per Idaho Statutes § 49-1302, you must exchange contact information and insurance details with the other driver before leaving the scene. Leaving the scene without exchanging information or reporting the accident could be considered a hit-and-run.
Seek Medical Assistance
Medical attention is crucial following a car accident, even if you feel fine. Many injuries are not apparent until days or weeks after the accident. If you are not transported by ambulance, make your way to the nearest emergency room, or schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. Medical records will also support your personal injury claim and substantiate your request for damages.
Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions
Keep to your doctor’s treatment plan. Use prosthetics or assistive devices as instructed by your physician and attend all scheduled appointments. Failure to adhere to your doctor’s instructions could compromise your claim.
Contact the Insurance Company
Contact your insurance company from the scene of the accident or as soon as possible thereafter. You must report the accident to ensure coverage. However, avoid claiming fault or guessing the cause of the accident.
Instead, stick strictly to the facts of the accident. Do not mention your health or say, “I’m fine.” Even your own insurance company is motivated to reduce payouts as much as possible. A car accident lawyer can help you craft a formal statement that does not hinder your claim.
Consider Hiring a Coeur d’Alene Car Accident Attorney
Insurance companies are notorious for offering low settlements to car accident victims. It is important to remember that they are motivated to reduce settlement values to maximize their profits. A car accident attorney in Coeur d’Alene will recognize lowball settlements and other tactics. They can defend your legal right to financial recovery and hold the at-fault party responsible for your injuries.
If you’ve been injured or a loved one has been killed through an act of negligence, you need the highest level of legal representation.
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Hiring the Right Attorney for Your Car Accident Claim
Although you have a legal right to pursue a car accident claim without an attorney, representing yourself presents significant challenges. Rather than trying to navigate legal requirements, gather evidence, answer phone calls, and negotiate with difficult insurance adjusters, let an injury lawyer handle your case.
You can rest assured that a car accident attorney from Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers has your best interests at heart. Allow our team to assist you with the legal process, so you can focus on improving your health and well-being.
We Conduct a Thorough Investigation Into Every Injury Claim
To reduce their own liability, the negligent party, their legal team, and their insurance company may try to shift blame for the accident. To counter such tactics, our dedicated car accident lawyers complete a comprehensive investigation. We focus on gathering quality evidence to prove the liable parties’ fault and establish the full scope of your losses.
The evidence we use to prove a Coeur d’Alene car accident claim may include:
- Photos and videos of the scene before, during, and after the accident
- Police report and statements from witnesses who saw the accident occur
- Accident reconstruction expert testimony to establish the accident’s timeline and cause
- Medical records, including diagnostic tests and imaging
- Treatment plans to return you to your previous state of health
- Testimony from medical experts regarding the extent and severity of your injuries, including disability assessments
- Expert testimony from economic experts who can attest to your loss of income and reduced career potential
- Invoices, bills, receipts, and financial statements to prove economic losses
- Estimates to repair or replace your vehicle
Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers works diligently to ensure accountability and seek the appropriate financial outcome.
We Have Extensive Experience Handling Idaho Injury Claims
When you suffer injuries in a car accident, it is to your advantage to work with an auto accident attorney familiar with Idaho injury claims. Our attorneys have the necessary knowledge and expertise to handle even the most complicated car accident cases.
We are fully prepared to take the guilty party to court and seek judicial intervention if necessary. Our highest priority is getting justice for our clients.
You deserve an attorney who can effectively fight for your rights. With Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers, you gain decades of experience from an established firm that has recovered millions of dollars in settlements, verdicts, and judgments.
We Work Tirelessly to Negotiate a Fair Settlement
At Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers, we aim to secure fair compensation for your car accident claim. We will actively negotiate with aggressive law firms and difficult insurance carriers to secure the compensation you deserve.
Before you consider accepting a settlement from a friendly insurance adjuster, remember that they are motivated to save money. A settlement that doesn’t cover all the expenses related to your claim can leave you in financial turmoil for years to come. No matter how complex the claim is, we can confidently advocate for your rights to reasonable financial recovery at the negotiating table and in court.
Our Coeur d’Alene Car Accident Lawyers Won’t Hesitate to Take Your Case to Trial
Our team focuses on achieving a fair settlement as quickly and efficiently as possible. Part of the legal process may include filing a lawsuit within Idaho’s statute of limitations, Idaho Statutes § 5-219. While your case may not go to trial, filing a personal injury lawsuit lets the responsible party and their insurance company know that you are serious about securing fair compensation.
Many personal injury claims settle out of court during negotiations with the insurance company. However, complicated cases or stubborn insurance carriers may call for a trial. Our car accident attorneys are here to guide you through every step of the process to achieve a fair case outcome.
Consult With a Dedicated Coeur d’Alene Car Accident Attorney Today
If you or someone you love suffered injuries in an Idaho car accident, Sargent Law Firm Injury Lawyers is here to help you. Contact our office today to get started with your free case evaluation. One of our attorneys will review the available information and provide an honest assessment of your case. Call (844) SARGENT today.
